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Professional Affiliations

Michelle Thurber Czapski serves as chair of the Insurance Practice Group and has over twenty years of experience representing major corporate clients in litigation and alternative dispute resolution proceedings, including class actions.

She has successfully represented insurance and financial service companies, automotive and other product manufacturers, Tier-1 automotive suppliers, telecommunications companies, and pharmaceutical companies in matters involving product liability claims, consumer protection act claims, insurance and ERISA disputes, contract matters, and a broad range of other commercial and business disputes.

Ms. Czapski serves as lead trial counsel and regional counsel for AIG/American General and its family of financial services companies with responsibility for insurance and related litigation throughout the Midwest. She is a case evaluator for the Oakland County and Wayne County (Michigan) circuit courts and a commercial litigation panelist.

Crain's Detroit Businesshonored Ms. Czapski as one of Southeast Michigan's "Notable Women Lawyers" in 2017. She is listed in Michigan Super Lawyers 2009-2017 under Business Litigation, Class Action/Mass Torts, and Insurance Coverage, is listed in DBusiness Top Lawyers 2018 under Insurance Law, and is listed in Benchmark Litigation as a State Litigation Star. She is AV® Preeminent Peer Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Won a defense verdict in a jury trial in an action claiming negligence, breach of warranty, and breach of contract for injuries sustained on the lift gate of a leased delivery truck.

Obtained a defense jury verdict in a product liability case against an automotive company, involving claimed defects in a wheel/axle assembly on a light duty truck. The jury specifically found that no defect existed.

Obtained judgment in favor of insurer of ERISA plan, affirming denial of long term disability benefits and obtained a rare award of overpaid benefits in favor of the insurer.

Won reversal of summary judgment before the Michigan Court of Appeals based on a finding of no duty of care on the part of a financial institution for the benefit of the relative of its customer and owner of collateral.

Represented major pharmaceutical company before Congress and Executive Branch in effort to obtain fair treatment in matter before the Food and Drug Administration.

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a Tier 1 automotive supplier in a lawsuit brought by a supplier of metal fabricated parts claiming the breach of a multi-million dollar oral requirements contract.

Obtained summary judgment prior to consideration of class certification in a putative class action against a telecommunications company challenging the way calling zones are configured for billing purposes.

Obtained summary judgment for a Tier 1 automotive supplier in an opinion that clarified the application of the U.C.C. to commercial transactions made with requirements purchase orders.Successfully defended automotive supplier and sole shareholder in a “bet the business” lawsuit alleging fraudulent trade practices and veil-piercing claims for the sale of a plastics company.

Successfully represented telecommunications company in an action alleging antitrust violations, breach of contract, and business torts brought by an internet service provider claiming the right to be the exclusive provider of internet services in Mid-Michigan.

Prevailed on a motion to defeat class certification in a purported class action brought in Wayne County Circuit Court against a telecommunications company alleging improper billing practices for the use of voicemail.